Letter
Dear Mr. Kayne:
In its meeting of 22 January, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design for an addition to the Hyde-Addison Elementary School, located at 3219 O Street, NW. The Commission adopted the recommendation of the Old Georgetown Board (enclosed) to approve the concept submission with the following comments, and referred the final design review to the Board.
The Commission members complimented the applicants for finding an elegant solution to the difficult problem of accommodating modern programming needs and play areas within a constrained historic setting. Noting the proposed extent of west-facing glazing, they recommended the addition of shade trees to provide seasonal solar protection for the building and to enhance the areas where children will play. As the landscape design is developed, they recommended further study of a vegetated roof; for the design of the exterior enclosure, they requested a large-scale mockup to allow for an accurate understanding of the design of the fritted glazing.
In its referral of further review to the Old Georgetown Board, the Commission approved the project, provided that these recommendations are addressed as the design is further developed. As always, the staff is available to assist you with the next submission.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Jonathan Kayne, Interim Director
D.C. Department of General Services
2000 14th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
cc: Milton Shinberg, Shinberg Levinas
Enclosure: Report of the Old Georgetown Board, 22 January 2015
Report
Government of the District of Columbia
Department of General Services
3219 O Street, NW
(Square 1244, Lots 129, 130, 131, 132 and 154)
Hyde - Addison Elementary School
Addition
Concept - revised
(Reviewed: 6 Jan. 2015, 4 Dec. 2014; 3 Apr., 6 Feb., 2 Jan. 2014, 7 Nov. 2013 – OG 14-020)
REPORT: The Old Georgetown Board (OGB) reviewed the concept design for the proposed addition to the Hyde Addison Elementary School at its meetings on 4 December 2014 and 6 January 2015. After the review of massing studies of various options on 3 April 2014, the OGB recommended developing a design of an above-ground building based on a scheme of three boxes. In three previous meetings, the OGB had reviewed an unsuccessful design for an underground addition.
The addition would be sited in between the two buildings for the Addison School (Romanesque Revival, built in 1885) and the Hyde School (Renaissance Revival, built in 1907). The addition would provide the school with a multi-purpose gym/stage, an expanded cafeteria, a media center, and classrooms. It would also connect both buildings and provide a central entrance for the students.
Following the conceptual logic of the three-box scheme, the addition is designed as a taller, more solid box surrounded by a lower, more translucent box, with a smaller box as the entrance. After reviewing the massing and the architectural treatment of the facades, the OGB has recommended conceptual approval of the design of the building, providing comments for further refinement of the design and the landscape plan.
RECOMMENDATION: No objection to concept design for new two-story addition as shown in supplemental drawings received 16 December 2014. Recommend reducing the amount of glazing on the west facade, adding solidity to the entrance vestibule, and developing of the landscape plan with attention to the entrance to the site. File new submission of design development drawings, including details, dimensions, and landscape plan, for review by the Commission.